(Editorial) MedCentral setting a healthy example

MedCentral Health System took a positive step last week when it announced it would no longer hire smokers.

At first it may seem odd that an employer would issue such an edict, but after thinking it through, it makes sense that some businesses — especially health care providers — closely regulate the unhealthy habits of their workers.

Employers in highly skilled industries, such as health care services, rely on high functioning employees. These companies depend on employees that meet the physical demands required.

Sick days are reduced. Insurance coverage costs less. And customers are happier knowing health care providers walk the walk.

Plain and simple, hospitals are places of healing, and tobacco does not belong there.

New job applicants at Med- Central Health Systems will submit a urine test for nicotine use as well as drug use.

The 12 percent of the hospitals’ 2,600 employees who admitted to using tobacco will be required to smoke off of hospital grounds, but their employment will not be terminated.

The initiative is part of a wellness plan that began forming in July.

“Tobacco use was not our only focus,” said Brady Groves, co-chair of the wellness committee and manager of the health and fitness center. “There are health benefits to not smoking and we want to show this to other businesses and our patients.”

This move is not unprecedented.

Hospitals around the country have taken similar action. In fact in 2004, Bucyrus Community Hospital became the first hospital in Ohio to establish a tobacco-free campus.

There, anyone who wishes to use tobacco products must step off hospital property. This includes tobacco use in personal vehicles.

At Ashland Samaritan Hospital, employees cannot smoke while on duty, and hospital officials said they are watching the MedCentral policy to see if it is something they would initiate in the future.

Around the state, the policy exists at a handful of hospitals included the Akron-based Summa Health Systems the Cleveland Clinic and Medical Mutual of Ohio.

The main purpose of the policy is to ensure a healthy environment, but the policy brings a host of other benefits that just make sense.